Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jun 2010
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2010 Karen VanEman
Contact: http://www.citizen-times.com/contact/letters.shtml
Website: http://www.citizen-times.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/863
Author: Karen VanEman

LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

In spite of opposition from the Drug Enforcement Administration and
other "drug warriors," marijuana can bring relief to a variety of
medical conditions, especially migraines and cancer chemo nausea. I
had to resort to synthetic THC, but it was not helpful in dealing with
my reactions to the chemo I had to take for my brain tumor.

In 1989, the DEA's administrative judge, Francis L. Young, ruled in
favor of moving marijuana to Schedule II, where it could be used under
a doctor's care. He wrote: "Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of
the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any
measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a
supervised routine of medical care. . It would be unreasoning,
arbitrary and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those
sufferers and the benefit of this substance in light of the evidence
on record."

Nevertheless, the DEA ignored its judge. So it remains up to state
legislators to look out for the interests of citizens who would
benefit from medical marijuana. Licensing growers and providers would
bring in new revenues, which we all know the state could use. House
Bills 1380 and1383 should be passed this session.

Karen VanEman
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake